Tag Archive | "Christmas"

From Dec. 15, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017, officers from police departments, Sheriff’s offices and the Michigan State Police will step up drunk driving enforcement across the state as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. There were 17 traffic fatalities during the 2015 Christmas and 2015/2016 New Year’s holidays. Alcohol is believed to be involved in seven of the fatal crashes. This holiday, don’t drive if you’re Tipsy, Buzzed, or Blitzen. Get a sober ride or call a cab.

Would you like to do something special for families in need this Christmas? You can partner with us to provide toys for needy children in Kent County. The Post is participating in the Toys for Tots program again this holiday season, as a drop off site for toys.

Toys for Tots is a volunteer organization whose goal is to collect new, unwrapped toys for kids 0-16, and distribute them to children who would not otherwise receive a gift during the holiday season. Toys for teens are always especially needed.

The program runs now through December 14. Just bring a new, unwrapped toy to our office at 36 E. Maple Street in Cedar Springs, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can’t make that time, call us to make other arrangements.

Father Lam T. Le, Pastor

St. John Paul II Parish

This Christmas is a unique one for Catholics throughout the world. This is due to the fact that the spiritual leader, Pope Francis, declared an Extraordinary Jubilee for Mercy from December 8, 2015-November 20, 2016. This is a “special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective” (Misericordiae Vultus, no. 3). In other words, the Pope calls upon Catholics and men and women of good will to see in Jesus, the Mercy of God made flesh and challenges us to engage in the works of mercy in our everyday lives. “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities” (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2447).

The theme, contemplating Jesus, Mercy of God made flesh, is clearly expressed in the logo of the Jubilee. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization explains:

“The logo . . . presents . . . the theme of mercy. In fact, it represents an image quite important to the early Church: that of the Son having taken upon his shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption. The logo has been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love with the power to change one’s life. One particular feature worthy of note is that while the Good Shepherd, in his great mercy, takes humanity upon himself, his eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, one’s own humanity and the future that lies ahead, contemplating, in his gaze, the love of the Father.”

In this blessed season, indeed we celebrate that God showed us His love in a very special way: sending His Son “in the likeness of our sinful flesh” (Rm 8:3). Through this Mercy of God “made flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14), may our entire life be the praise of God’s mercy.

Have a blessed 2016 and may you and your family be transformed in this Jubilee Year by God’s merciful love! Amen.

Pastor Craig Carter

North Kent Community Church

1480 Indian Lakes Rd., Sparta, MI 49345

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’”

This passage of scripture in Luke 2 is one of the most read verses in the bible this time of year. There is so much here, it is often easy to overlook the powerful, yet simple message of Christmas found in these verses! We see from this passage, the angel’s message was one of good news about a specific day in history, in a specific city, about a real Savior, who is Christ the Lord. While this news was being proclaimed, immediately there was a response from heaven. The heavenly response declared two very distinct purposes that God had for sending Jesus to earth.

The first was to declare the Glory of God. Notice it took one angel to announce the savior’s birth, but a multitude joined with the angel to praise God! This word multitude is a military term, also translated host. It meant an army. An army of angels came to sing and proclaim God’s glory. It signified how important this event in history was. It signified how important this Savior was. It was a life-changing event that would forever change the course of history. What did it mean? What did it proclaim? It proclaimed how much God loved the world. We are reminded in John 3:16, that “God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only son…” It declared to all of humanity that God alone deserves all our praise. It was intended to grab all of man’s attention and direct it to the one who was worthy to receive it, Jesus Christ! Christmas is designed and celebrated to turn the world’s attention to Jesus.

Secondly, the multitude of angles declared that peace was now available to all mankind, through this sign, this Savior—Jesus Christ. Often, we declare this peace, at Christmas, as a universal one. Meaning everyone can have peace on earth. This is true, but only to a degree. Meaning, this peace is available to everyone on earth, but only to those on “whom God’s favor” rests. Who may that be, you ask? God’s favor rests on those who receive Jesus Christ as savior, as the one who forgives us of our sin; as the Christ, the one who provides hope; as Lord, the one who defeats our enemies and makes us secure; and the one who provides us peace. Ephesians 2:14 says, “For he himself (Jesus) is our peace…” In the current days we are living in, everyone is ultimately looking for and pursuing peace in their own ways. We would love to see the world at peace with each other. However, apart from Jesus Christ this will never occur. Christmas says that Christ is the answer for peace in the world. That’s why many are anti-Christmas. They ultimately are opposing Christ. The message of Christmas to the whole world is that there is peace through a relationship with Jesus Christ! The angels sang and declared this good news of peace. The greatest gift this Christmas is personal peace with God through Jesus Christ. Will you receive it?

Merry Christmas! Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men!

Pastor Ryan Black

Cedar Springs Christian Church

340 West Pine Street, Cedar Springs

Christmas is quickly approaching and for many it is a celebration where family and friends spend time together as they recognize the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This time of year we are reminded of those in need and who are less fortunate than ourselves. It is wonderful that we have concern of those people in need, however, we often times become satisfied with solely having sincere thoughts or sharing kind words. While these are good things, we often fail to fulfill any actual giving or physical assistance to those same individuals. The Bible describes this very concept in James 2:15-16.

When we think of being selfish or greedy, we tend to think of mean spirited people who are engrossed in themselves and their needs and not of the needs of others. While there are people in this world who exhibit this Scrooge-type personality, the truth is, all of us demonstrate some greed and have self-centered tendencies. This tendency can get in the way of our willingness to give or to help those in need. The Bible tells us the importance of helping others throughout the scriptures including Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 28:27 and in the parable of “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37).

Why is God so concerned about us giving to and helping others? God tells us in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image. This indicates that we are to be like God and to take on His traits. To be like God is to give. Our God is a giver and that’s apparent in the scriptures. However, the most important thing God gave came around 2,000 years ago. John 3:16says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The Bible also tells us to be Christ-like (Philippians 2:1-3). When we read the Gospels, you will see Christ consistently helping those in need. Therefore, God wants us to give in order that we may be like Him. The Bible tells us that a “giving spirit” cannot be forced; it is something that must come from the heart and should be an enjoyable act from within (2 Corinthians 9:7).

This time of year we are reminded to give to those in need. The concept of giving should not just be contemplated around Christmas. It should continue throughout our entire life, in order that a Giving Spirit may take over. When we become focused on being a Giver instead of a Receiver, it will change our life forever. Giving is something God intended for us to do to others just as He does for us when we face adversity. The Bible tells us that if we give like Him, we will be blessed for it (Proverbs 22:9).

At one of the churches in our community:

Dec. 13, 20, 24, 27: The Springs Church invites you every Sunday morning throughout December for our messages series Christmas Around The World. Throughout this series we will enjoy Christmas music from around the world and will learn what God is doing to bring peace on earth, goodwill to men. We offer two services at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Also this year, The Springs Church is excited to welcome the community to an outdoor musical light show in our parking lot! The Christmas Light Show will run nightly form sundown to 8:30 p.m. December 4th-23rd. Then our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held on Thursday, December 24th at 7 p.m. This special family service will help you connect and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Kids are welcome to wear their pajamas and will get their own glow sticks! Please join us. We’re located at 135 N. Grant St., Cedar Springs (Corner of Oak & Grant). For more info on any of the events happening at The Springs Church this month visit our website www.thespringschurch.info.

Dec. 13, 20, 24: Cedar Springs United Methodist Church invites you to join us for worship throughout Advent as we prepare for Our Coming Savior every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. We will celebrate Christmas Eve with candlelight and Holy Communion during two services on December 24th at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The church is located at 140 S. Main Street, Cedar Springs.

Dec. 13, 24: Solon Center Wesleyan Church invites you to come and share in the joy of our Children’s Christmas Program, Bethlehem...Nothing Ever Happens Here, this Sunday, December 13. The children will perform in both services, 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. We also invite you to join us in celebrating the Good News of the birth of our Savior in a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Thursday, December 24 at 6 p.m. All welcome! The church is located at 15671 Algoma Avenue NE, Cedar Springs.

December 13, 24: Resurrection Lutheran Church welcomes you December 13, at 9:30 a.m. to enjoy a Christmas play entitled, Low and Behold. Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship will be December 24, at 7 p.m. We welcome you to join us as we celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. We are located at 180 Northland Drive, Sand Lake, MI. 49343. For questions please call 616-636-5502.

December 13, 25: Christmas Hymn Sing at Pioneer Church, Sunday, December 13, at 6 p.m. Located at The Cedarfield Community Center, 3592 17 Mile RD, Cedar Springs. (Next to Meijer.) We will also be having a Christmas morning service at 10 a.m.

Dec.18: Come on out Friday, December 18, at 7 p.m., to Cedar Springs Christian Church “The Old Chapel,” on the property of Creative Technologies Academy, 360 W. Pine Street. All are welcome to come and enjoy a special Candle Light Service/Christmas Carols to Celebrate of the birth of the Christ Child complete with twinkling lights surrounded by quaint barn wood, to draw hearts close to the Reason for the Season. Visit us online: wwwcedarspingschristianchurch.org, or if you have questions please call 696-1160.

Dec. 20: North Kent Community Church will present “Christmas for Congo” at the Christmas Service on Sunday, December 20, at 10 a.m. Special guest Rev. Deo Mwamba, formerly from the Congo, will share what Christmas is like in the Congo. We will celebrate with songs, themes and food, similar to how they would celebrate Christmas in the Congo. We will receive a “Christmas Love” offering to help send Treasures (Audio Bibles) to the Congo as gifts. Please invite family and friends to this Christmas Service. It will be a great time to give the gift of Christ to the Congo! NKCC is located at 1480 Indian Lakes Rd. NE, Sparta, MI 49345 (just west of Pennington Rd.) Questions? Call Pastor Craig Carter at 616.550.6398.

Dec. 20: South Ensley United Methodist church welcomes you to a Christmas Evening Service on December 20 at 7:00 pm. Join us for an evening of music, worship and birthday celebration of our Savior. 13600 Cypress Ave, Sand Lake.

Dec. 20, 24: Hillcrest Community Church of God welcomes you on Sunday, December 20, at 10:45 a.m. to enjoy our Christmas play. Please come be a part of our audience this year, as we watch what happens when Baby Jesus leaves the building! Young and old work together to bring this adventure to life with singing and dancing and laughter…Oh my! Sounds like fun! Then the Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be December 24 at 7:00 p.m. Won’t you join us in celebrating the birth of The King! There will be refreshments following both services. We are located at 5994 18 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs, MI. For questions please call 616-696-9333.

Dec. 24: East Nelson UMC, 9024 – 18 Mile Rd. NE, Cedar Springs, will be having a Candlelight Service on Thursday, December 24 at 7 p.m.

December 24: Rockford Springs Community Church invites you to join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Thursday, December 24 at 9:00 p.m. Rejoice at the birth of our Savior with fellow believers! We are located at 5815 -14 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI (2 1/2 miles East of US 131). For questions, please call 616.696.3656.

Dec. 24: Holy Spirit Episcopal Church will be celebrating Christmas with a traditional worship service and Eucharist on Thursday, December 24 at 7 p.m. All welcome. We are located at 1200 Post Drive NE, Belmont, at the corner of Pine Island and Post drives, just west of Exit 95 of US 131. Please visit our website at www.holyspiritbelmont.org.

Dec. 24/25, Jan 1 & 3: Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Sand Lake will celebrate Our Christmas Eve/Christmas Mass schedule is Christmas Eve 7 PM and 8 a.m. Mass on Christmas; our New Year Day, Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, Mass is at 9:30 a.m. Jan, 1; (Friday Morning). On Sunday, January 3 at 10:30 AM, we will have an Epiphany Celebration which includes pageantry, music, potluck and prayer. Please bring a dish to Pass. Regular Sunday Mass Schedule is Saturdays 4 p.m., Sundays 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Regular Religious Education and Junior High Ministry will be Dec 13, from 6-7:30. May your Advent season be a time of refreshment and your Christmas time be joy-filled. The church is located at 1 W. Maple, Sand Lake.

Santa parade, tree lighting and more

Are you ready to have yourself a merry Christmas Cedar Springs-style? Come on out and experience a day of goodwill and cheer on Saturday, December 5, when the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce presents “Come Mingle with Kris Kringle.”

The day will start at 10 a.m. with families able to create decorations for the Christmas tree at the Cedar Springs Library from 10-1,and then at the Cedar Springs Historical Museum from 1 to 3 p.m. then decorate the tree at Main and Ash with their ornaments from 3 to 4 p.m. with the Cedar Springs Cheerleaders.

There will also be a bake sale, free hot chocolate, a storytime with Mrs. Clause, a Christmas puzzle time with Santa’s Elves, and a petting zoo, all before the mini-parade that brings Santa to the corner of Main and Ash Street at about 4:30-4:45.

Following the parade will be a live nativity scene, tree lighting, caroling, and mingling with Kris Kringle at the corner of Main Street and Ash.

Bring the whole family out on Saturday, December 5, for a fun, community Christmas celebration! See info in our holiday events section on pages 10-11 for complete details on times and locations.

The Cedar Springs Lions Club, with the help of the Sand Lake Eagles, helped the Santa Claus Girls by delivering gifts for many boys and girls, on Saturday, December 20. In all, 116 families in the area received gifts to make Christmas time a little brighter.

The Cedar Springs Lions Club, part of Lions Clubs International, the largest service organization in the world, works each year to help people with sight and hearing problems. They help fund eye exams, glasses, hearing aids, and more. Each year they hold fundraisers, including the Red Flannel Festival Lumber Jack supper and several spring pancake breakfasts, to support their work. To find out more about them, join them at one of their meetings held the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the North Kent Senior Center, 44 N. Park Street, Cedar Springs.

The Tri County Eagles #4467, located at 32 West Lake Street in Sand Lake, is a chapter of the Fraternity Order of Eagles, an organization that helps fund eight major charities, including kidney, heart, diabetes, cancer and spinal cord injury funds, a children’s fund, memorial foundation and the Golden Eagle Fund. For more information about them call 636-8787.

Pastor Jim Alblas

Pioneer Christian Reformed ChurchCedarfield Community Center

3592 17 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs

Cedarfield Community room

I was recently at a local shopping center hoping to make a quick holiday purchase. I’m sure you can already guess how foolish I was to think I could do anything quick at a shopping center this time of year. With many Christmas shoppers out and lower gas prices available, most stores are jammed pack with people right about now. It may be the most wonderful time of year, but it’s certainly the busiest time of the year too. It’s not just the Christmas shoppers; this is the time of year when many of us invite people over, which means we have to prepare and clean. This is the time of year when we attend many special events, which means we have to struggle to find a way to get to them all. This is the time of year when we tend to do a lot of baking and create fancier meals. While there is a degree of excitement in all of that, sometimes it can become a little overwhelming and even frustrating. It can even get to a point where a great thing such as Christmas can become a burden to us. This sort of thing happened when Jesus stopped by the home of Martha and Mary, which can be found in Luke 10:38-42.

Martha, realizing how important her guest was attempted to be the best possible host she could be and thus was preparing a meal for Jesus while her sister sat at Jesus feet listening to Him. However, soon the meal preparations became overwhelming to Martha and she became frustrated that her sister was not helping. Things became so hectic for her that at one point she stormed out of the kitchen and demanded that Jesus tell her sister to help. But Jesus’ response to Martha teaches us a very important lesson, especially when things get busy. Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” What was it that Mary was doing? She was listening to Jesus. Jesus was saying to Martha and to us: Don’t get so busy that you don’t have time for The Lord. Martha was focused on many things, but Jesus was not one of them. That can happen to us too. We can know the reason for the season is Jesus and we can even run around trying to serve Him, but yet in that season never talk or listen to Him. That’s a mistake. Staying connected to helps us to know what His will is, it draws us closer to Him and helps us to stay calm and peaceful when things get busy. If your serving causes you to lose site of Jesus, make adjustments to your service. If your holiday schedule leaves no room for Jesus, adjust your schedule. Only one thing is needed; keeping our eyes focused and ears tuned to Jesus!

Pastor Darryl Miller

Sand Lake UMC, 65 W. Maple, Sand Lake

South Ensley UMC, 13600 Cypress, Ensley Township

Too often we end the holiday season completely drained, both emotionally and physically. We then tend to call on God to refresh us, to restore our vigor and our lives to “normal.” But what if we were to ask God for restoration along the way? What if we planned into our busy holiday schedules time to draw closer to the reason for our celebrations? What if we were to decide now to have a spirit of peace despite the overwhelming pressure to live up to expectations to get the right gift, make all the parties, host dinners, send the cards, etc? That is what I would like to suggest.

During this special time, let’s decide not to let the pressures mount up but instead let the Child whose birth we are celebrating bring us the gift of Peace. We prepare our homes for the celebration by decorating so why not prepare our hearts for the celebration of our Lord’s birth, not with hectic lives but with hearts of peace and love. After all, the song says: “Love came down at Christmas” not to challenge us to get the right tree, but to have a spirit of peace and love that shows through the craziness of the world. One of my family’s traditions is to have a Christmas ornament hang in the house all year around. This reminds us not just at Christmas time but all through the year of the wonderful gift of Christmas. Sometimes I think we need this reminder in December most of all!

Another good reason for this approach is that many of our neighbors need something from us this time of year and if we are too wound up in our own schedules, we may miss it. Some have lost loved ones; for some this may be their first Christmas without someone close that they have lost. Others may not have heat, or power, or food. It seems every year our Ministerial association finds out about someone who has no heat or food, but hasn’t told anyone. If we checked up on our neighbors, we might learn about the need and find those who can help. But if we don’t check, we don’t know. If you are in need, don’t be too proud to ask for help, it is limited but it is out there. And if you are feeling lonely this season, check out your local church, we would love to spend some time with you! We will not be waiting at the door with a signup sheet for work that needs to be done and we will not hand you a membership form before you sit down. We will however extend to you the love and grace of Jesus and welcome you in God’s name. My family and our church families wish all of you a truly blessed and merry Christmas!